Banbridge’s Doghouse Sanctuary has been inundated with messages of support for Oscar, the 10-month old staff-labrador found abandoned at a farm on Gilford’s Lowtown Road on Sunday morning.

The sanctuary’s Gillian McFadden said Oscar, who was used as ‘dog bait’ and left for dead, was still fighting for his life at a local veterinary surgery, where he will have to remain for the forseeable future.

According to Gillian Oscar remains weak but is now on a course of antibiotics, painkillers and a drip.

The dog, discovered with deep gash wounds on its side, and thousands of maggots infesting its ear - is also suffering from septicaemia and dehydration.

Mrs McFadden said the dog was the worst neglected she had ever come across.

“I have never, ever seen the likes of this before in all my years,” she said. “How anyone can leave an animal in that state is beyond me. We have seen some bad cases but not one where thousands of maggots are coming out of an animal’s ear.

“Whatever money it takes to see the animal through we will find it. He is getting the best of care. Tears were tripping me when I saw his tail gently wag for the first time yesterday. He is getting better but certainly not out of danger yet not by any stretch.

“We have received many messages of support and we are truly grateful for that.”

She went onto say, “We all feel helpless to do more for him.

“He is not out of danger yet by any stretch. He still has a lot of infections but he is a fighter. He is not getting out of the vets any time soon.

“He will be there for the foresseable future; that is for sure.”

Among those to lend support so far are celebrity vetMarc Abraham and an unnamed local company director who handed the charity £500.

Police in Banbridge are appealing for information following the discovery of Oscar.